Microsoft, RealNetworks, Yahoo sued by music labels

Microsoft, RealNetworks and Yahoo were sued by music labels that allege the companies made recordings available without getting permission.

By Adam Satariano

Bloomberg News

Microsoft, RealNetworks and Yahoo were sued by music labels that allege the companies made recordings available without getting permission.

The labels seek $150,000 for each copyright infringement and want the songs removed from the companies' digital music stores, according to the 108-page complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Tennessee.

Songs by Aretha Franklin, the Carpenters, Grand Funk Railroad and Emmylou Harris are among those listed in the complaint. The labels allege Yahoo Music Service, RealNetworks' Rhapsody and Microsoft's Zune Music Service didn't get authorization to sell music through the stores.

The labels include MCS Music America, Conexion Media Group, Cram Renraff, Songs In Black Ink, Hello Darlin' Music, Forest Farm Music, From D's Pen, Happy Sack Music, Joe Hill Music, Rhinestone Cowboy Music, Appalsongs and Appalseed Productions, and Seven Centers Publishing, according to the complaint.

Kim Rubey, a spokeswoman for Yahoo, declined to comment, as did Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kutz and RealNetworks' Bill Hankes.

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Comments (27)

Many musicians are resorting to giving their music away (heck, they don't make hardly anything on it anyway since the record companies take... Posted on July 2, 2009 at 4:56 AM by phg. Jump to comment

The big labels are slowly dying on the vine. Another last ditch effort to try and protect their old ways. Posted on July 2, 2009 at 1:04 AM by AGM-86B. Jump to comment

The problem is (as I see it) is that the musician needs to be compensated, as does the record label who has a significant investment. I also... Posted on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 AM by JFairman. Jump to comment

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